The denomination was one of the original coins first authorized in 1792, and production began the following year. These coins were much smaller than dimes, in diameter and thickness, appearing to be "half dimes". In the 1860s, powerful nickel interests successfully lobbied for the creation of new coins, which would be made of a copper-nickel alloy; production of such coins began in 1865 and were struck in two denominations — three cents and five cents (the latter debuting in 1866).

The introduction of the copper-nickel five-cent pieces rendered the silver coins of the same denomination redundant, and they were discontinued in 1873.

The following types of half dimes were produced by the United States Mint:

Flowing Hair Half Disme (sic) Pattern, 1792

Flowing Hair Half Dime, 1794-1795

Draped Bust Half Dime (Small Eagle Reverse), 1796-1797

Draped Bust Half Dime (Heraldic Eagle Reverse), 1800-1805

Capped Bust Half Dime, 1829-1837

Seated Liberty Half Dime (various subtypes), 1837-1873

In 1978 a coin collector surprised the coin collecting community with an 1870-S half dime. According to mint records for 1870, no half dimes had been minted in San Francisco; yet, here was a genuine 1870-S half dime. At an auction later that same year, the 1870-S half dime sold for $425,000.